Arsenal must increase their points total from last season if they are to compete for the Premier League title, says Ian Wright.
The Gunners finished with 89 points in 2023-24, two points behind champions Manchester City. Wright believes the North London side need to surpass 90 points to finally topple the Sky Blues from the throne, and he likes what he sees from the club in pre-season and in the transfer market so far.
Wright was speaking on Stick to Football, brought to you by Sky Bet, and he said the Gunners need to continue to look for improvement through transfers to compete with City's deep bench.
“I’m really pleased with what’s been going on for Arsenal during pre-season," Wright said. "The club has signed Riccardo Calafiori, who is a great player, but the main thing is that the players have looked ready to go again.
“I know that there’s something else that may be going on in the works for us and I’m sure they are going to try and do something in the transfer market — they have to.
“When you look at how close Arsenal got last season, with 89 points, they have to find a way to get to 90+ points. I heard Mikel Arteta say the other day that if something comes up, they’ll go for it, but they have to offload a couple more players first, like what they did with Emile Smith-Rowe and looking likely with Eddie Nketiah.
“Arsenal must improve their bench. You look at the names coming off the bench for Manchester City and for me, that is where titles are won. Having a squad who can contribute all over the pitch, not just the starting team, but the substitutions too.”
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